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Flower hopes England bloom before World T20

England levelled the three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan with a comfortable 38-run win in the second match in Dubai on Saturday, setting up an intriguing final game here on Monday.

And Flower believes the experience on the sub-continent like pitches will leave them in good shape to defend their World Twenty20 title they won in th Caribbean in 2010.

“The experience that those guys will have gained in a pressure situation against a very good opposition in these conditions will be absolutely vital to their growth and to our growth as a side,” Flower told reporters here on Sunday.

Pakistan, 2009 World Twenty20 champions, won the first game by eight runs on Thursday - also in Dubai.

Flower stressed his team need to concentrate on the Sri Lanka event.

“We have to have, at this stage, an eye on the World Twenty20, which is in six or seven months time and therefore how we play against these spinners in these conditions and how quickly we learn is vital to our chances in Sri Lanka,” said Flower.

“Most of our Twenty20 matches are now in England, so it will be different cricket and we have to make the most use of this next one which, no doubt, we will be aiming to do. But this experience out here has been great for us.”

Flower praised newcomer Jonny Bairstow who smashed an unbeaten 60 to help England to 150-7 before paceman Steven Finn’s 3-30 kept Pakistan down to 112.

“I thought Bairstow’s innings was outstanding; very skilful, firstly against some reasonable spin bowling and against a very good bowler in Umar Gul. And very powerful as well. That’s a very good combination to have.”